Prism Sound is well known in the pro audio space where their analog to digital converters (ADCs) are used in many of the best recording studios worldwide. The Prism Orpheus ADC/DAC was reviewed here in 2009. The Prism Callia USB DAC Preamplifier is a new product aimed primarily at the home or non-professional market.

The ZYX UNIverse Premium moving coil phono cartridge is the latest evolution in the long history of ZYX of Japan. High performance is always expensive, and in this case, sonic perfection carries a “premium” price tag. Based on other upper high end cartridges that I have heard, the UNIverse Premium is worth it because it meets or exceeds every expectation I ever imagined for the sonic potential of the vinyl LP.

The Auralic Vega DAC is a compact powerhouse, offering the latest in digital technology. At a list price of $3,495, it provides up to 32 bit 384 kHz decoding and upsampling and up to DSD256. The built-in volume control lets the Vega function as a preamplifier in an all-digital audio system. One key feature is a “Femto Master Clock” with only 82 femtoseconds (0.082 picoseconds) jitter.